Arthur spent most of his days sat at Merlin's side only going home when Morgana dragged him away to eat and sleep. He would hold Merlin's hand and talk to him telling him how much he was loved and that he needed to fight. Hunith was there almost as much. The two of them became even closer and Hunith confessed to Arthur that she thought her son had also fallen in love and that perhaps this tragic accident would allow them to both recognised that.
After the ninety six hour time period had lapsed Merlin was taken for a CAT scan and then Ms Annis told them that the swelling had resolved and they would be lowering the sedation and waking Merlin up. But that first they would be taking him to theatre to have his broken limbs sorted. Once this was done they would wake him up and remove him from the ventilator. She warned them that Merlin might well be confused so not to expect miracles. Arthur told the surgeon that the miracle has already happened; Merlin had managed to survive the most dangerous period of his recovery. It was two days later when Merlin's sedation was taken off and he was allowed to wake up. Once awake his tracheotomy was blocked off so he could speak. It was important to access him before it was finally removed.
Once he was awake Hunith and Arthur was allowed in to Merlin's side with Ms Annis and the anaesthetist still present just in case. Merlin was looking round in a daze. He couldn't make out where he was. It was so bright and light and he ached everywhere. He saw a man and woman at the side of his bed and the woman spoke to him "Hello Merlin, there is someone hear to see you." Ms Annis motioned Arthur to her side.
"Hello Merlin it's good to see your eyes again my love" Arthur reached and took Merlin's hand and kissed it.
Merlin frowned and in a rasping voice said "Who are you?"
Arthur gasped "It's Arthur, your husband" it was clear by Merlin's face he didn't recognise Arthur.
Hunith came forward and as Merlin saw her he smiled "Mum" Hunith smiled at him "Oh my son" she bent and kissed his face before looking up to see Arthur's shocked expression.
Ms Annis stepped forward "I need to do some tests and assess Merlin, if you want to go and wait in the rest room I will come and see you as soon as I have finished them" she looked at Arthur "Mr Pendragon please don't worry your husband has only just woken up."
It was a good hour later when Ms Annis came to find them and by then Arthur had got himself into a state. Ms Annis made him sit down before she started talking. "Merlin has only just woken up and does seem to have some retrograde amnesia. This may be temporary it may not, although I have to say that memory often returns over a period of months, but not always. From my tests it seems that Merlin has lost about two years of memories." She looked at Hunith "He thinks he is living in America and has just completed the first year at Harvard."
Arthur jumped up "He doesn't remember me at all!" he shouted.
"Mr Pendragon calm down you will do no good letting yourself get worked up" the surgeon informed him. "I will be getting some more tests done and referring him to a specialist. In the meantime what I suggest is that Merlin's mother visits him and talks to him about your marriage and the past two years. Later you can visit again Arthur, but you mustn't get frustrated with Merlin, he will have enough of that himself. Go home and get some of the wedding photos or pictures of other significant times it may help to jog his memory, although normally if the memory comes back, it often seems to be spontaneous."She looked at Arthur with some sympathy. "He fell in love with you once; I'm sure he will again if necessary."
Ms Annis took a deep breath "One good thing is that he seems to have no other effects from his head injury, and that can only be a good thing and he's alive! You must take comfort in that."
Arthur looked at the surgeon "What if he doesn't want anything to do with me?" he said brokenly.
"The brain is a complex structure, it may be that Merlin will know you tomorrow, it may be he never remembers the past two years. But you need to put Merlin's needs first at the moment, he has a long way to go to recover from his other injuries he will need all the support he can get. He has lost memories and is confused and scared please remember that"
After the surgeon had left Hunith went and sat next to Arthur "I think it best we keep your deal to ourselves Arthur, it will complicate matters, and yours was a love match before the accident, even if neither of you admitted it. Let's keep it that way. Now do as the doctor suggested and go and find out some photos. I will go and talk to him and make sure he knows all about you." Hunith smiled weakly "It will come out alright Arthur I know it will."
Arthur went home and did as he was asked, then before going back to the hospital he rang his sister and told her what had happened and Hunith's comments on the deal.
"I agree with Hunith Arthur, if Merlin does remember no harms been done but if he doesn't it will only complicate things. You love him; just get him to fall in love with you again, only this time don't make the same mistakes. Look at it this way you have a second chance not many people get that" Morgana was very willing to give her full support. "We will visit soon who knows it may help. Have you heard from the police about who pushed Merlin?"
"To be honest I think it was just an accident, the person probably didn't even know. I don't expect we'll ever hear anything" Arthur told her "I need to concentrate on Merlin"
Morgause and Agravaine were furious when they heard that Merlin had survived, albeit badly injured. But they decided to play the waiting game after all there was still time for Merlin to die of his injuries. When news got out of his loss of memory it gave Agravaine an idea. The couple discussed it and decid